Fluid filter element

Abstract

A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing defining a filter chamber for said filter element. The filter housing comprises a standpipe extending within the filter chamber. The filter element includes a tubular filter media circumscribing the standpipe, a first end cap supporting the filter media at one end thereof, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap and supporting the filter media at the opposite end thereof, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has at least one inlet opening therethrough at a first end thereof adjacent to the first end cap and a standpipe opening therethrough at a second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap. The second end cap has at least one intake opening therethrough radially spaced from the standpipe opening in the center tube.

1. A filter element, comprising:
 filter media having a first axial end and a second axial end; 
 a first end cap having an inner support surface disposed substantially adjacent the first axial end of the filter media; and 
 a second end cap having an inner support surface disposed substantially adjacent the second axial end of the filter media, wherein the second end cap includes a center tube extending axially away from the inner axial support surface of said second end cap and axially through an opening formed in said first end cap, and wherein said center tube includes a first axial end defining at least one fluid inlet opening, and a second axial end defining a standpipe opening. 
 
     
     
       2. The filter element according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 an actuator pin that is connected to and extends axially away from an inner surface of the first axial end of the center tube and toward the second axial end of the center tube, wherein an outer axial surface of said first axial end of the center tube is further defined by an axial recess that projects axially into the actuator pin. 
 
     
     
       3. The filter element according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first annular seal disposed around a circumference of the opening in the first end cap and against a radial portion of the center tube; and 
 a second annular seal connected to standpipe opening of the center tube. 
 
     
     
       4. The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein said second end cap includes a flange extending axially around an outer periphery and circumscribes the filter media. 
     
     
       5. The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one fluid inlet opening is radially offset from said axial recess. 
     
     
       6. The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein the actuator pin includes an axial distal end that extends toward the second axial end of the center tube, wherein the distal end provides means for entering an actuator opening of a standpipe for subsequent axial engagement of a closure element of a flow control valve arranged within the standpipe. 
     
     
       7. The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein the axial recess provides
 means for receiving a projection extending from a cover member, wherein receipt of the projection extending from the cover member within the axial recess permits the projection extending from the cover member to indirectly engage a closure element of a flow control valve arranged within a standpipe by way of the actuator pin axially engaging the closure element. 
 
     
     
       8. The filter element according to  claim 3 , wherein the center tube includes an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface. 
     
     
       9. The filter element according to  claim 8 , wherein an inner surface of the first annular seal radially and sealingly engages the outer circumferential surface of the center tube. 
     
     
       10. The filter element according to  claim 8 , wherein the inner circumferential surface of the center tube defines the standpipe opening, and wherein an inner surface of the second annular seal radially and sealingly engages an outer surface of a standpipe when the standpipe is axially inserted into the standpipe opening. 
     
     
       11. The filter element according to in  claim 4 , wherein the second end cap further includes a first and second flanges extending radially away from the outer surface of the axial flange portion, and wherein the first and second flanges are axially offset from one another to define a circumferential groove therebetween. 
     
     
       12. The filter element according to  claim 11  further comprising:
 an annular seal disposed within said circumferential groove that radially and sealingly engages an inner peripheral surface of a filter housing when the filter element is disposed within the filter housing. 
 
     
     
       13. A component of a filter element having filter media, comprising:
 a center tube including a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an axial passage between the first end and the second end, wherein the center tube further includes a first end wall at the first end of the center tube and an actuator pin centrally located on the first end wall and extending axially therefrom towards the second end of the center tube, the end wall further defining at least one opening extending therethrough each of said at least one openings being radially offset from the actuator pin, wherein the outer surface of the first end wall defines a recess that extends axially into the actuator pin, wherein the second end of the center tube defines a standpipe opening in fluid communication with the passage; and 
 a first end cap that is integrally formed with the center tube and in supporting relation with an end of the filter media. 
 
     
     
       14. The component of a filter element having filter media according to  claim 13 , wherein the first end cap defines at least one intake opening extending axially through the first end cap. 
     
     
       15. The component of a filter element having filter media according to  claim 13 , wherein said first end cap includes a flange portion that extends axially from an upper surface of the first end cap and toward the first end wall of the center tube, wherein the flange portion includes an outer surface, and further wherein said first end cap includes first and second flanges radially extending away from the outer radial surface of the flange portion. 
     
     
       16. The component of a filter element having filter media according to  claim 15 , wherein the first and second radial flange portions are axially offset and define a groove therebetween. 
     
     
       17. The component of a filter element having filter media according to  claim 16  further comprising:
 an annular seal disposed within said radial groove. 
 
     
     
       18. The component of a filter element having filter media according to  claim 13  further comprising:
 a second end cap having a circumferential inner surface defining an opening, wherein the second end cap is removably-secured to the outer surface of the center tube proximate the first end of the center tube. 
 
     
     
       19. The component of a filter element having filter media according to  claim 18  further comprising:
 an annular seal connected to the inner surface of the second end cap and disposed adjacent the outer surface of the center tube to indirectly connect the second end cap to the center tube. 
 
     
     
       20. The component of a filter element having filter media according to  claim 13  further comprising:
 an annular seal connected to the inner surface of the center tube at the standpipe opening.